Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque

{{Short description|Mosque in Shusha, Azerbaijan}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}

{{distinguish|Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque}}

{{Infobox religious building

| building_name = Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque

| native_name = {{ubl|{{langx|az|Aşağı Gövhər ağa məscidi}}|{{langx|ar|مسجد أشاغي غوهار أغا}}}}

| native_name_lang =

| image = Aşağı Gövhər ağa məscidi restavrasiya işlərindən sonra, 2024-cü ildə.jpg

| image_upright = 1.4

| alt =

| caption = The mosque, in 2024, after restoration

| map_type = Azerbaijan

| map_size = 250

| map_relief = 1

| map_caption = Location of the mosque in Azerbaijan

| location = Shusha

| country = Azerbaijan

| coordinates = {{coord|39|45|43|N|46|45|13|E|region:az_type:landmark|display=it|format=dms}}

| religious_affiliation = Islam

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| status = Mosque

| functional_status = Active

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| architect = Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi

| architecture_type = {{nowrap|Mosque architecture}}

| architecture_style = Architecture of Azerbaijan

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| year_completed = 1875-1876

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| dome_quantity = Four {{small|(maybe more)}}

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| minaret_quantity = Two

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The Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque ({{langx|az|Aşağı Gövhər ağa məscidi|lit=Lower Govhar Agha Mosque}}; {{langx|ar|مسجد أشاغي غوهار أغا}}) is a mosque in Shusha, Azerbaijan.{{Cite web |title=Plants Genetic Resources in Central Asia and Caucasus |url=http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_cities.htm |access-date=26 July 2010 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161940/http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_cities.htm |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Shusha State Historical & Architectural Reserve |url=http://karabakhfoundation.org/regions/shusha/ |access-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004182205/http://www.karabakhfoundation.org/regions/shusha |archivedate=4 October 2010 }}

The designation ashaghi ("lower") refers to the location of the mosque in the lower section of Shusha town, distinguishing it from the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque, the similarly named mosque located in the upper section of the town.

History

Construction of Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque was completed with orders from Govhar Agha, daughter of Ibrahim Khalil Khan of Karabakh Khanate approximately eight years before the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque was built.{{Cite web |title=Şuşa məscidini təhlükə gözləyir |work=Canaz.tv |lang=az |url=http://www.canaz.tv/haber/2212-kuzey-xeberleri-susa-m601scidini-t601hluk601-gozl601yir.html |access-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911165539/http://www.canaz.tv/haber/2212-kuzey-xeberleri-susa-m601scidini-t601hluk601-gozl601yir.html |archive-date=11 September 2011 }} A difference between the Ashaghi Govhar Agha and Yukhari Govhar Agha is that the minarets of the former are located at the corners of the rear façade and the minarets of the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque are on the front façade.

Seriously damaged as a result of heavy shelling by Armenian armoured units during the occupation of Shusha, the mosque was desecrated. During the existence of the Republic of Artsakh, as of 2005–2007, the mosque was reportedly in a semi-destroyed state.{{Cite web |title=Ermənilər Şuşanı dağıdır |work=arshiv.gamoh.info |lang=az |url=http://arshiv.gamoh.info/archives.php_4E465B3E |access-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721202828/http://arshiv.gamoh.info/archives.php_4E465B3E |archive-date=21 July 2011 }} Although it has been claimed that the mosque was renovated, members of an Azerbaijani delegation visiting Karabakh took photos and claimed that the mosque is still badly damaged, and no renovation works are being done.{{Cite news |title=Фотоснимки оккупированной Шуши |url=http://www.vesti.az/news.php?id=10116 |work=Vesti |lang=ru |date=6 July 2009 |access-date=26 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706131546/http://www.vesti.az/news.php?id=10116

|archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |title=Bu gün düşüncəmdə ermənilərin düşmən obrazı yoxdur |work=azadliq.org |lang=az |url=http://www.azadliq.org/content/article/1812021.html?page=2&x=1 |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=26 July 2010 }}

Restoration of the mosque was completed in 2024, funded with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.{{cite web |url=https://heydar-aliyev-foundation.org/en/content/view/92/5460/Ashaghy-Govhar-Agha-Mosque- |title=Ashaghy Govhar Agha Mosque |work=Projects: Culture |publisher=Heydar Aliyev Foundation |date=2024 |access-date=23 December 2024 }}

Gallery

Shusha_2010_mosque.jpg|The mosque in 2010

Shusha – Ashagi Govhar Agha mosque – roof.jpg|The mosque roof in 2017

Shusha – Ashagi Govhar Agha mosque – inside 1.jpg|Inside the mosque

2014 Szuszi, Meczet Ashaghi Govhar Agha (02).jpg|Minarets

Shusha – Ashagi Govhar Agha mosque – minaret 1.jpg|View from a minaret

Shusha – Ashagi Govhar Agha mosque – inside 2.jpg|Inscription inside

Ruins of the Govheraga Mosque, XVIII c..jpg|Ruins of the mosque

See also

References

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